CDC allows flexibility in use of flu vaccine by local gov't

TAIPEI--The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has given the green light for local governments to use influenza vaccine in a flexible manner, after some local health centers reported insufficient amounts of the vaccine for toddlers.

Public health centers can use adult-use flu vaccine, which is in the form of 0.5 ml per shot, for children aged between six months and three years, but the dosage must be halved, CDC Deputy Director General Chou Jih-haw said Monday.

Flu vaccine for children is usually provided in the form of 0.25 ml per shot.

The flu season is now at its peak in Taiwan. Although the government has been carrying out its annual free flu vaccination program since last October, there is still demand for children's vaccinations in some cities and counties, the CDC said.

Taichung in Central Taiwan is one of the places in need of vaccine for toddlers under 3 years old.

The Taichung Health Bureau said Monday that it has only 161 doses of flu vaccine for toddlers, although it has 21,493 doses of adult-use vaccine in stock.